Backyard trees represent circle of life

September 26, 2007

My wife and I were standing on our back porch recently enjoying the cool morning air. The day was one of those special, rare days in South Dakota ... the wind wasn't blowing 40 miles per hour. As I stood on the deck looking over my backyard and the trees that encircle it, something about the trees struck me. I was confronted by the seasons of life in a panoramic view. This spring our daughter, Rikki, was born. To commemorate that event, we were given and planted an apple tree. Of course, in only one short season it hasn't grown much. However, there it is, representing the beauty of birth, new life and hope. As I look at little Rikki, I see so much hope. Sometimes I feel guilty for bringing another child into this world so full of evil. Yet, when I hold this precious child I see that she clearly represents the hope and beauty that time and events have scratched from my soul. So this new little apple tree stands, somewhat overshadowed by the other more mature trees in our yard. Yet it stands just the same with its young, pliable branches reaching upward. It stands just the same though it is dependent on me for nourishment beyond what it could gain on its own. This tree stands where I've placed it, yearning to grow and reach maturity and bear the fruit it was created to bear. I see this in my youngest girls. No, they don't always stay where I put them, but Isabel and Rikki definitely are yearning to grow and become what they were created to be. Nearby are many other trees. It is fall now, but these trees have managed to hang on to the fullness of their green color. Other trees have given way to the change, but not these trees. They proudly boast the green leaves that show all who would see that they are alive, healthy and doing quite well. I look at these trees and see my adult children. They are grown and reaching maturity. They are healthy and strong and on the outside display their vigor and color. As I continue around the yard I see myself in those trees that are fading from full color. No, they aren't dead or dying, they are simply changing. Each new season brings new challenges. Like the leaves on these trees, my hair is falling by the wayside. Sadly, it won't return in the spring. Like these trees, my body is showing the effects of the seasons of my life, the scars of the storms and the ravages of time. However, I'm still strong. I will survive for another season, hopefully many more. Just the same, I fade faster than I used to and it takes a bit more time to recover. But recover I will. I scan my yard one more time. There in the very back of the yard, right in the middle of those green trees, circled by the changing trees is one solitary tree completely void of any color. This is the tallest tree on the lot and yet today, it is the only dead tree. Just this spring it appeared to be alive and well. This summer it was full of green leaves. However, something happened. Quickly the leaves began to change. The leaves began to wither and fall. In August, the tree appeared to be in a mid-October change. By September, the tree was dead. As I said, this tree still towers over every other tree on my land. It still casts a shadow over the little apple tree just planted this spring. Today, though this tree no longer takes nourishment from the ground or carries a single leaf to represent life, it still influences that little apple tree by casting a shadow upon the earth around it. How like this tall tree are those who have gone before us. There are many who have given us so much through their lives. So many who have challenged us and helped us and though they are now gone, their shadows are still seen in our lives. I, like my daughters, am still yearning to fulfill that for which I was created. I am hanging on to as much life as I can so that I can be a benefit to others and leave my shadow cast upon their lives. Rick Riedel is owner of Riedel Consulting, a conflict management and negotiation firm. Write to him at American News, P.O. Box 4430, Aberdeen, S.D., 57402, or e-mail americannews@aberdeennews.com.